Cruise managers from multiple Baltic ports met again yesterday, during an internal meeting organized by the Baltic Ports Organization (BPO). The main topic discussed was the greatly anticipated start of this year’s cruise season. While some ports are expecting calls in the upcoming weeks, the situation remains uncertain for a number of them.
The season has already begun for the Port of Kiel, with vessels operated by Aida and TUI calling at the German port. Passengers are eager to travel and prove to be very disciplined when it comes to complying with various safety measures and regulations put in place to ensure their health. This is despite the fact, that travel is currently only possible in the form of so-called blue cruises. Passengers are not allowed to leave the vessel during calls at ports other than the one they boarded the ship at.
Port of Rostock is expecting to open the season at the beginning of July. These trips will also be subject to the blue cruise model. The beginning of July also marks the expected start of the season for the Ports of Stockholm and the Port of Tallinn. Ports and operators both hope, that chaperoned bus tours will be allowed soon in order to make the experience more appealing to the passengers.
Passengers are eager to travel and prove to be very disciplined when it comes to complying with various safety measures and regulations put in place to ensure their health.”
The situation is much direr in a number of different countries, which are still awaiting more specific directions from the authorities. Denmark is slowly opening up and some more information about a possible start of the cruise season in the country may be available in mid-June.
